Adjacent Words

Withers definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

WITHERS, n. [This seems to signify a joining, from the root of with.] The juncture of the shoulder bones of a horse, at the bottom of the neck.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: the highest part of the back at the base of the neck of various animals especially draft animals

Merriam Webster's

noun plural Etymology: probably from obsolete English wither- against, from Middle English, from Old English, from wither against; from the withers being the parts which resist the pull in drawing a load — more at with Date: 1580 1. the ridge between the shoulder bones of a horse — see horse illustration 2. a part corresponding to the withers in a quadruped (as a dog) other than a horse

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n.pl. the ridge between a horse's shoulder-blades. Etymology: shortening of (16th-c.) widersome (or -sone) f. wider-, wither- against (cf. WITH), as the part that resists the strain of the collar: second element obscure

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Withers With"ers, n. pl. [Properly, the parts which resist the pull or strain in drawing a load; fr. OE. wither resistance, AS. wi[eth]re, fr. wi[eth]er against; akin to G. widerrist withers. See With, prep.] The ridge between the shoulder bones of a horse, at the base of the neck. See Illust. of Horse. Let the galled jade wince; our withers are unwrung. --Shak.